The Gathering

A Day of Hope

2010-11-29T14:42:00.000-05:00

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.” (George Iles)

“Hope…next year, things will be different!”

2010-11-24T11:08:00.001-05:00

For discussion or reflection: What is your deepest hope this Christmas?

A Life-Giving Christmas

2010-11-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

An Advent Study and Sermon Series at Noblesville 1st UMC, 2051 Monument St. Study at 9:30 AM. Sermon Series in The Gathering at 11:00 AM. Sundays, Nov. 28th through Dec. 19th. Additional Study time 10:00 AM Thursdays, Dec. 2nd through Dec. 23rd. Everyone welcome! Come experience Christ in Christmas through the fuller meaning of hope, peace, joy, and love.

10/19 Steering Team Meeting Notes

2010-10-20T11:58:00.001-04:00

The Steering Team met on Oct 19th at 6:30 PM to put together concrete action plans for the brainstormed ideas from last meeting. Notes are posted below.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 18th at 6:30 PM in the Loft (Mark your calendars, please)

Topic: Another brainstorm of ideas for taking next step with The Gathering

Service Worker Teams

2010-10-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

Service worker teams have been established. Kevin Emmert will help train the teams when he is available. Others from the original set up team should back him up when he is unavailable. The vision is that these teams will cover all volunteer needs for the service to include:

Set Up (chairs, tables, refreshments, altar)
Hospitality greeters (2 ext. doors of great hall, 2 West ext. doors) Open the doors for people, greet them in a friendly way, direct them to the service.
Ushers (1 at main doors to celebration hall, 1 at each side door to the Vine) Hand out bulletins before service, count attendance during the service, collect offering and attendance pad sheets and return offering and attendance sheets to the office.
Liturgist to read scripture
Tech team back up in the booth to train and eventually step in.
2 communion servers on communion Sundays

Tina will remind team members by email each week. New members will be sought continually for the teams.

Outreach Service Sermon Series Advertising

2010-10-20T11:54:00.000-04:00

We will offer a coordinated sermon series for Advent called “A Life-Giving Christmas”, and then follow that immediately with a series called “Dangerous Prayers”. For both of these series Pastor Dave will develop advertising materials, and ask the congregation to distribute them personally and through neighborhood association newsletters.

Drama Leader Needed

2010-10-20T11:53:00.000-04:00

Our Advent series “A Life-Giving Christmas” has a pre-packaged set of reader’s theater dramas. If we would like to incorporate them into worship, a drama leader will be need to recruit and rehearse players. It likely would require only a couple of hours per week for the 4 weeks of Advent.

Pastor Dave will offer this opportunity to the Gathering via an announcement.

5th Sunday Missions Coordinator Needed

2010-10-20T11:52:00.000-04:00

Pastor Dave will need someone to help coordinate our 5th Sunday mission events. The vision is that each 5th Sunday of the month we would reach out in mission to the community in lieu of worship. We also need to arrange to do this during the Children’s Christmas Program, and the VBS program. There are many opportunities to do this, so the need is for someone to simply do the leg work to set them up, sign people up and send them out.

Pastor Dave will offer this opportunity to the Gathering via an announcement.

Fellowship Event Coordinators Identified

2010-10-20T11:50:00.000-04:00

We are interested in scheduling some events where the people of the Gathering can come together to meet and interact more informally, maybe over a meal or a ball game. Betsy Rosiek has volunteered to try to coordinate this, and Kendall Hantelman indicated that she would be willing to assist.

Gathering Steering Team Meeting Schedule

2010-10-07T14:35:00.001-04:00

Our meeting schedule for the rest of the year is as follows:

Tuesday, October 19th 6:30PM Loft
Tuesday January 18th 6:30PM Loft
Tuesday March 15th 6:30PM Loft
Tuesday May 17th 6:30PM Loft

This is an “Open” meeting. Hope you all will join us for as many as possible!!!

Gathering Steering Team Notes

2010-09-09T13:08:00.002-04:00

Below are notes with my reflections and recommendations for actions going forward resulting from our meeting on Aug. 17th. The meeting structure was based loosely on our mission statment which I am including in this post. Please feel free to comment to clarify or add to anything I've written here.

Our Mission

The Gathering will become a recognized missional arm of Noblesville First United Methodist Church by developing our distinctive spiritual gifts as a congregation in outreach, hospitality, and creative worship as together we strive to. . .
. . . Create the MOST VIBRANT CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP EXPERIENCE in Hamilton Co.
. . . Be the MOST VISIBLE GROUP OF CHRISTIANS in the greater Noblesville Area
. . . COMPLETELY INTEGRATE with the ministries and programs of Noblesville First

Increase Participation

2010-09-09T13:07:00.000-04:00

The group discussed ideas and options for increasing participation in the set-up process, as well as service workers and clean up.

Pastor’s Reflection:

It seems that the group liked the idea of teams of folks responsible for a week of the month. These teams would be responsible for set-up, identifying service workers (Greeters, Ushers, Liturgist and Communion Stewards), and clean up for a specific Sunday of the month. The idea is that these teams would be large enough that that there would always be enough people available to run the service even when other team members were absent. In order for us to do this effectively, I believe members of the original set up group will need to step up as leaders initially to train the teams on the things that need to be done.

Recommended Actions:

Pastor Dave will introduce this strategy in Sunday’s service and begin circulating sign-up sheets for the four weekly teams. The four leaders should “self-select” themselves and then let Pastor Dave know.

Increase Vibrancy

2010-09-09T13:05:00.000-04:00

Suggestions surfaced regarding keeping our edge as an “alternative” worship service, and taking our worship experience to the next level.

Pastor’s Reflection:

The loss of the 8:15 service provide the worship team some extra time previous to our 11:00 service to get warmed up and ready. This has already shown fruit. We continue to need a back up praise band that can fill in for the regular worship team from time to time. We also continue to need back up on the tech team especially from an adult standpoint. It has been suggested that we might start to integrate some drama into the service.

Recommended Actions:

Pastor Dave will communicate these needs in worship, and continue to work with Matt to see them through. Committed volunteers will be required for any these improvements to be fully realized, especially regarding incorporating drama into the service.

Increase Visibility

2010-09-09T13:04:00.000-04:00

Many great options were discussed in this area!

· New banners regularly displayed
· Handbills distributed during football parking
· Praise Band tailgate party for a football game
· Advertising in Neighborhood Association Newsletters
· Increase communication about the Gathering within the church
· Missional outreach on 5th Sundays in lieu of worship

Pastor’s Reflection:

Most of these options are easy to make happen. One couple has already gotten an advertisement in their Neighborhood Association newsletter, and copy for newsletters is available now for those who might want to do this. The tailgate party and the 5th Sunday missional outreach will require some coordination.

Recommended Actions:

Pastor Dave will see about getting new banners ordered, and will get the gathering advertising copy in the church newsletter. Matt will be asked to put together handbills and work with the youth on handing them out at the last two football games. Those interested in advertising in newsletters should contact Pastor Dave to get the advertising copy. Let’s make the tailgate party and missional outreach topics for our next meeting.

Increase Integration

2010-09-09T13:03:00.000-04:00

The importance of seeing ourselves as distinct, but not separate from NFUMC was discussed, as was the need for Gathering folks to step up into leadership roles with in the larger congregation.

Pastoral Reflection:

Our distinctness will naturally create some differences, but we need to minimize these as much as is possible. We need to think of ourselves and be seen by the church as the 4th English-speaking service with a contemporary style.

Recommended Actions:

A list of the committees of the church was circulated among steering team members who were asked to indicate where they might be willing to serve. This list was forwarded to Pastor In Suk for review with the Lay Leadership Committee. A couple from the Gathering stepped up to be lay coordinators for our current Stewardship Campaign.

Increase Fellowship

2010-09-09T12:59:00.001-04:00

The need to connect with each other, and especially get to know new folks in some kind of fellowship activity was discussed. Regular pitch-in’s, or a breakfast before church in the Vine were ideas that surfaced. Getting together to watch a Colts game, or holding a game night were other ideas.

Pastor’s Reflection:

These events are easy to pull off. We just need to set some dates and have someone step up to coordinate them.

Recommended Actions:

We will discuss this at our next meeting, but in the interim, if anyone would like to coordinate one of these events, see Pastor Dave.

"Most Wanted" - Day 31 - "Delight"

2009-09-30T16:50:00.000-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 31 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Delighting in Freedom

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 – NIV)

I recently attended a men’s retreat that caused me to reflect deeply on some areas of my life where I was feeling discouraged and defeated. What I found was that these aspects of my life were barriers to my feeling free to fully follow the call that God has laid on my heart.

Instead of delighting in the Lord, I found myself anxious and sometimes even angry. This anxiety and anger had an obviously negative effect on my closest relationships.

During the course of the retreat, I ran across a verse that literally stopped me in my tracks. It was John 8:36 that says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

That verse reminded me that, in Christ, I am guaranteed victory over all those things that discourage me and make me feel defeated. I may feel defeated, but the reality is that I am not.

The reality is I am the victor in all things through Christ. I have found that very freeing, and out of that freedom has poured a true delight in the Lord and in my calling.

Are you free to delight in the Lord? How about the people represented by the names on your love list? How can we not share this good news that in Christ they can also become free to delight in the Lord and follow God’s calling on their lives.

Let us always be prepared to share the delight we have in our freedom in Christ.

Prayer

God of victory and glory, pour out on your people the joy of your salvation and the pleasure of your peace. Grant that our freedom in Christ might be so evident in our lives that we draw people to delight in You from whom all blessings flow. Amen

"Most Wanted" - Day 30 - "Promises"

2009-09-19T13:32:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 30 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Stumble Inn

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:3-4 – NIV)

In my last charge, our church was not only the only United Methodist Church in the small town we served; it was also the only church in the town, period. This meant that not only was I the pastor of the church, I was also the chaplain for the whole town.

Part of being chaplain for the town was responding to the various issues that came up for the townspeople. I frequently visited people in the hospital that did not belong to our church and many were people I did not even know.

What really created an interesting dynamic for me in these visits is that the church had an undesirable reputation in the town. Most of the members were farmers who lived just outside of the town. They knew of people in the town, but were really very disconnected from them. The result was that I was run out of many hospital rooms when I did these visits.

One day, I “stumbled in” to the room of a woman from the town I did not know who was suffering from congestive heart failure. Her reputation in the town indicated that this would likely be a very short visit. She was very outspoken about her disdain for our church, and I anticipated being told to leave quickly.

When I entered the room I started to identify myself, but she interrupted me saying, “I know who you are. Why are you here?” Her words were the words of the confrontation that I was expecting, but there was something about her tone of voice that caused me to look closer at her face.

She was crying, scared to death of dying, and knew she needed to come to a saving knowledge of the truth. She received that saving knowledge that day, and I received the blessing of “stumbling in” to where God was at work. Can we overcome the fear of rejection and stumble in for God? I pray it would be so!

Prayer

Amazing God, forgive us for where we believe that salvation depends on us in even the slightest sense. Thank you for leading us by your Spirit into places where we can be used by you. Help us to be always sensitive to your leading. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 29 - "Majesty"

2009-09-17T10:11:00.003-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 29 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

All

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8:1 – NIV)

“All” is an inclusive word. If I eat it all, then none is left. If the event is open to all then no one is excluded. If something is a “free-for-all” then anyone might come out the winner.

When David sings in Psalm 8, “… How majestic is your name in all the earth! …” he means that God’s name is majestic to all things. He acknowledges that God is the grand Creator of all things, the Author of knowledge, the Giver of life.

Praying for his disciples in John 17:10 Jesus prays to God, “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine…” Previously in John 10:30, he says to the Jewish leaders, “I and the Father are one.” This indicates to me that Jesus’ “all” here is appropriately inclusive. Jesus and God are all-in-one and one-in-all.

Yet, David goes on in an allusion to Jesus in Psalm 8, “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings…” Imagine that… the All-in-all made lower than angels. The allusion is to the incarnation of God who became fully human in Jesus.

And why did God to choose to do such a humiliating thing? Because God loved the lost, and wanted that none should perish.

Dr Teykl quotes St. Fransis of Assisi’s great hymn “All Creatures of our God and King” where the hymnist sings, “Let all things their Creator bless, and worship Him in humbleness.” (Teykl, 2008, p. 71)

How do we as part of the “all” of creation, and as members of the body of Christ, bless the Lord and worship Him in humbleness? I think one compelling answer to this is that we might participate in the story that all creation sings by loving the lost, and wanting none to perish.

Prayer

Mighty God, you are our all-in-all, our God the three-in-one. We worship you for you created us, redeemed us, and sustain us. Grant that we might participate in you grand plan by directing others to you that they might be redeemed and sustained as is you will and desire for them. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 28 - "Ready to Share"

2009-09-15T15:26:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 28 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged

What’s Your Barrier?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8 – NIV)

As I visit from “house to house” as Wesley called his pastors to do, or from hospital room to hospital room, which is more the way it goes for me; I get the privilege of hearing the great faith stories of the people of our congregation.

It seems everybody has a story to share, and when we’re together we seem to have no problem sharing how God is working in our lives. If you’re like me however, sometimes it a whole different ball game to share my faith with people outside the congregation.

As I am pondering why this is true for me, I am reminded of something I learned in my role as a performance coach in the business world. “Performance Coach” is a nice title for someone who tries to help someone else who is on the verge of being fired.

One of the first things we would try to diagnose was the barrier that kept the person from performing at an acceptable level. Then, I would determine if it was a “motivation” barrier, or an “ability” barrier. If it was an ability barrier we would develop a training and development plan to give the person the needed skills. If it was a motivation problem… well, let’s just say we had a different way of handling that… and it wasn’t as nice or pretty.

I am sure glad God doesn’t handle us like a performance coach, because Acts 1:8 reminds us that we have been given infinite ability to witness by the power of the Holy Spirit. That means that the questions we who struggle sharing our faith might ask are “What’s my barrier?” and “How can I become motivated to overcome it?”

Prayer

Merciful God, we thank you for the stories of our faith that we have to share. Grant that we would share them boldly by the power of your Spirit, that others would hear and believe that you are God and Jesus is Lord. Amen

"Most Wanted" - Day 27 - "Hall of Faith"

2009-09-05T15:41:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 27 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Train Up A Child

NIV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

In today’s devotional, Dr. Teykl tells the story of the New Years Eve service in his first pastorate when his sister-in-law gave her life to Christ. It was New Years Eve in 1972.

I remember that New Years Eve myself. I was 11 years old, and our family spent the evening with the other families of the “Two-By-Two” group from our church that was our family’s main social network at the time.

We all celebrated that night at the Morris-Butler Museum that I believe ironically, ended up housing a United Methodist Church eventually. I remember spending the “midnight moment” with my childhood girlfriend alone in the bell tower of the museum. It was an innocent but memorable moment as we both watched the snow falling against the downtown Indianapolis skyline.

This memory reminds me of the impact of this faith-filled social network that our family spent so much time with when I was being “trained up” as a child. That childhood girlfriend ended up an ordained minister, seminary professor, and spiritual director in the Presbyterian denomination.

I, of course, took the long way home, but eventually ended up in ministry myself, and God-willing; I will also be ordained within this year. I do not know about my childhood friend, but I give that social network a lot of credit for the formation of my faith, and therefore, a lot of credit to them for my recommitment to the church and call to ordained ministry.

I pray we could be that kind of a community for people today. I pray we could be a community of faithful and faith-filled people who form a firm foundation in Christ for the spiritual formation of His disciples.

Prayer

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh upon your children as you work for the good of people everywhere. Form us into a social network of love that will be impossible for people to resist. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 26 - "Fasting"

2009-09-05T10:00:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 26 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Prayer Companion

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I… (Isaiah 58:9a – NIV)

How many times does this happen to you? You settle in for some time with God and begin to pray, but before you know it, your mind has wandered and you are thinking about what you have to do, or someone you need to talk with.

I will confess this happens to me sometimes, and when it does, it makes me feel like there is some block between God and myself. I know God is always ready and waiting, so if I am honest with myself, I must admit that the block is always within me. It is as if I need a “prayer companion” to help me keep focused.

The rest of verse nine in Isaiah 58, lists some of the things that were barriers between the false and true worship of God’s people: the “yolk of oppression”, the “pointing finger”, and “malicious talk”. It strikes me that similar things get between God and us in our prayer life.

So how do we remove these barriers within us? One way that I have found to be effective is through fasting. I did not understand how helpful this spiritual discipline could be until I tried it. Now, I regularly do a 40-hour fast in difficult periods to refresh my mind and body.

The key to fasting is two-fold. First, you need to clear your plate of anything but the things of God. Fast when you can be alone for most of the period without many distractions. Then secondly, wait! There will be a period of hunger, but eventually that will subside and what replaces it is a euphoric feeling of being intensely centered and focused.

It is during that centered and focused time that I find myself closest to God and most able to pour my heart out in prayer. In this way fasting becomes that “Prayer Companion” that removes the block between myself and God, and allows God to replenish my soul in our relationship.

Prayer

Compassionate God, we so desire to hear you speak to our hearts, but sometimes your voice is so still and quiet that we cannot hear it over the din of our lives. Helps us quiet our hearts today, that you may enter in and reign in us eternally. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 25 - "Honor Roll"

2009-09-03T18:56:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 25 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged

Praying for an Honorable Mention

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

I have four children from age 25 to 16. All of them have been “Honor Roll” students in school. Sometimes they have been “High Honor Roll” students. Some have made the dean’s list in College, and a couple of them have even pulled off “Straight A’s” a time or two.

If it seems like I am boasting, I guess I am! I am very proud of my children, and academically speaking they have all been a great blessing to me. I praise God for them every day in my prayers.

But, what if they stopped making good grades; what if the dropped out of school; what if they stopped behaving in a way that was pleasing to me? Would I still be proud of them? Would I still praise God for them? I hope so, but it would admittedly be more difficult.

I have become aware that there are many people in our community that are not as blessed as I am in a wide variety of ways. There are many who probably have a hard time praising God at all for their situation in life.

But, the good news is that no matter what our situation we can still rejoice in our salvation. And, what is even better is that we don’t have to be “Straight A” students in order to experience this joy. We need only an “Honorable Mention” as believers and followers of Christ.

And so, today, I am personally praying for an abundance of “Honorable Mentions” all around us, that many would experience the joy of Lord that is our strength.

Prayer

Mighty God, in your sovereignty you have provided the gateway to the joy of our salvation in Jesus. Hear our prayers for those around us who we wish will one day experience you with rejoicing.

"Most Wanted" - Day 24 - "The One"

2009-09-02T10:46:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 24 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged

A Triumvirate of Love for the Lost

… Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' (Luke 15:6 – NIV)

The parable of the lost sheep is the first of a perfect trifecta of parables. A lost sheep and a lost coin tenaciously sought and pursued; a lost son welcomed handsomely with a robe and a ring and a fantastic feast.

The point of these parables is consistent. God seeks, pursues, and welcomes all who are lost. God is proactive in the pursuit, and extravagant in the welcome. In other parables Jesus describes the welcome as a wedding banquet; one of the most extravagant ancient festivals.

In addition to being extravagant, God’s pursuit is intentional and personal. God does not wait for the lost sheep to return, or the lost coin to appear. God leaves the flock to pursue the one lost sheep, and turns the house upside down looking for the one lost coin. Even in the story of the Prodigal Son who returns on his own, the father doesn’t wait for him to enter the house; he rushes down the lane rejoicing to meet his son.

There is much for us to learn from this triumvirate of love parables, but two things should be clear. As we seek to be the body of Christ in the world we represent the living example of a God who pursues, and a God who loves extravagantly.

This most naturally leads to an approach to outreach that is intentional, and to hospitality and worship that is extravagant. I am convinced that the combination of these two factors is biblical, will honor God, and will be rewarded with fruitfulness.

Prayer

Merciful God, forgive us of any complacency that is in our hearts, and fill us with the fire of your love for those who are lost. Empower us to intentionally pursue those you are calling, and help us to lavish them with your extravagant hospitality. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 23 - "Covenant God"

2009-09-01T20:37:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 23 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Set Apart to Be Together

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… (Matthew 28:19 – NIV)

In today’s devotional prayer Dr. Teykl quotes Exodus 34:10 where the Lord says to Moses, “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.”

This quote, coupled with the verse from the Great Commission in Mathew 28 reminded me of my favorite verse of Scripture from Exodus. It is a Scripture that is the hinge point of this great book of the Bible. It is a scripture many times attributed to the Apostle Peter who quotes it in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

The original Scripture comes from Exodus 19:6 and it is at this point in the Exodus story that the wilderness wandering is concluded, and the people are consecrated as God’s chosen ones. However, what does that mean?

It means to the people of the Exodus, and the people of the Early Church and to all who are a part of the Body of Christ today that we are a holy people, set apart for the work of the Great Commission. A royal priesthood sent to show those who live among us the awesome work the Lord has done for us in the grace of Jesus Christ poured out for us on the cross.

Will we be God’s holy people… Will we declare his praises to the nations… to our community… to our friends and family? I pray it would be so!

Prayer

Almighty God, help us to be your covenantal people. Helps us to recognize your wonders in our lives and declare them to the world; that we might participate with you in making disciples of all nations. Amen.

"Most Wanted - Day 22 - "The Lord is Good"

2009-08-31T16:32:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 22 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

God is Good… All the Time!

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. (Psalm 145:9 – NIV)

I woke up this morning and had coffee and devotions on my deck on a beautiful day…

…God is good!

Noting the beautiful day, I checked the weather on-line… 70’s and sunny every day of the current forecast…

…God is good!

I went to work for a church I love, filled with people I adore…

…God is good!

I came home to a family I love, who somehow seem to tolerate me…

… God is good!

I served a risen Savior, who died on the cross for my sins and rose to guarantee me eternal life with God…

…God is good!

O how passionate I am that everyone might know just this…

… God is good, all the time!

Prayer

Gracious God, your mercy is steadfast and your love endures forever. These are the marks of your goodness, the clear evidence of your grace at work in the world. Grant that we might be instruments of this your grace and peace. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 21 - "Stories"

2009-08-30T19:38:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 21 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Great Narrative of God

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21 – NIV)

One of my favorite albums growing up was Harry Chapin’s “Greatest Stories – Live”. Like him or not, Chapin has to be one of the great producers of the most outstanding ballads of all time.

Every song that he sang was a story in itself, from “Cat’s in the Cradle”, to “Taxi”, to “30,000 Pounds of Bananas”; every song he wrote tells the story of life from some perspective.

The same is true of the Bible. The Bible is God’s ballad, God’s story, God’s great narrative that tells the story of life from God’s perspective. In Genesis 1-11 the stage is set. We find that from the beginning God has wanted an unblemished relationship with humankind, to whom God gives the great paradise of creation.

Soon thereafter, however, man falls into sin and creation becomes blemished. Against this backdrop, the great narrative of God unfolds in the rest of the stories of the Bible, demonstrating God’s repeated attempts to restore and heal creation and humanity of the affects of sin.

God completes this restoration in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who bears the burden for sin with the cross, and overcomes death with the resurrection. Thus, Dr. Luke records the Apostle Peter proclaiming in Acts 2:21, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Paradoxically, the great mystery of God’s narrative has not concluded. Christ has died, Christ has risen, yet Christ is still to come again, and until that time we are all still part of God’s great narrative as we continue to offer to the world the saving grace and knowledge of God. May the story live on, and be lived out in our lives!

Prayer

Everlasting God, we give you thanks and praise for inviting us to be a part of your story in the world. Grant that we would participate fully in each scene as it unfolds, that many would call on your name and be saved. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 20 - "Faithful"

2009-08-30T14:08:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 20 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Saved from Prosperity

"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:29-30 – NIV)

Sometimes we are aware that we are sinking. Sometimes we are aware that the world is caving in around us. It is in those times that we are most likely to cry out to God, like Peter, “Lord, save me!”

It is when the storms of life swirl around us that we become aware of our frailties and our need for a faithful God to be generous to us with grace and mercy. But, what about the times when every thing is going great?

It has been my experience that God is still faithful in those times as well. I have mentioned to many people that as I look back on my faith journey, God was at work faithfully molding and protecting me from harm even before I realized I was on a “faith journey.”

My recommitment to the faith of my childhood did not come from some deep life crisis. I was not out of a job, deeply depressed, or contemplating suicide. I was having the time of my life, making a ton of money, and living large.

And suddenly a faithful God wandered into my life and showed me a great group of committed people that I became quite fond of, who all happened to worship together at this one church that I suddenly found myself deeply connected to.

I pray we will reach out to those who are hurting, and will connect many who are sinking to the One who can save them. However, I also pray we will reach out to the ones who believe they need God the least, for God is faithful to save those as well!

Prayer

Eternal God, in your great faithfulness you teach us what inclusive ministry is all about. You are faithful to save those who cry out to you, and those who are oblivious to your existence. Teach us you reach out with just that kind of inclusive hearts. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 19 - "The Holy Spirit"

2009-08-29T16:11:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 19 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Responding to a Solid Solicitation

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37 – NIV)

I often get solicitations in the mail that begin, “You have won a free gift!” Now I love receiving a gift as much as anyone, but always as I read on in these solicitations I find that the gift is not free. It will actually required a healthy portion of my time listening to a sales pitch for some product or service in order for me to receive the “free” gift. It is a weak solicitation that has little impact on me.

Previous to the people’s response in Acts 2 above, Peter has presented the Gospel to the people that witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit. Apparently Peter’s presentation was a solid solicitation because the scripture above says that it cut people to the heart and caused them to ask the question, “What shall we do?”

What is amazing to me is Peter’s “no strings attached” response to their question. Peter says, in essence, “Repent, be baptized, and receive your free gift!” That “free gift” is forgiveness of sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is the strength of that solid solicitation that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It stands on its own. It speaks for itself, and it elicits the response, “What must I do?”

The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that there is no lengthy sales pitch required. The good news of grace is that it comes through no action on our part at all. All that is required is that we respond by repenting and believing the Jesus died for our sins and rose again.

Seems like a solid solicitation to me.

Prayer

Compassionate God, we give you thanks and praise that you have had mercy on us through your saving grace in Jesus Christ. Help us to use the power of the Spirit that is your free gift to us, to present to others the solid solicitation of the Gospel. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 18 - "He is Worthy"

2009-08-28T11:08:00.003-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 18 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Heart of Worship

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23 – NIV)

In today’s devotional, Dr. Teykl prays for deliverance for those who attempt to connect with God only at an intellectual level. Modern society has taught us to value the intellectual, and in the process, the Word of truth, for some, has become merely a set of intellectual proposals to be proven or disproved.

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 that the kind of worshippers that God seeks are true worshippers who worship God in spirit and truth. The curious among us might ask what it means to worship in “spirit and truth”.

Whenever I attempt to argue logic with my wife, she has this keen ability to end my perfectly logical argument with these simple words, “It’s not about being right, but all about right relationships.” I think this gets at the core of what it means to worship in spirit and truth.

For me, it is not about offering people some kind of bullet-proof argument for God, or for the resurrection, or for our viewpoint on some particular issue. It is instead about connecting our hearts with God, and thus connecting our hearts in a very right relationship.

This heart-connection ushers us all into the presence of God, while a purely intellectual connection leaves us “Presence deficient” (Teykl, 2008, p. 48). To me, being filled with the presence of God is being filled with the Holy Spirit. Without this indwelling of the Spirit it is difficult to worship or witness, but with this indwelling our witness is empowered, and we worship in the way God seeks to be worshipped.

Prayer

Sovereign God, capture our hearts as you stimulate our minds with the Good News that is Jesus. Let the light of your presence shine through us that we might be that city on a hill for all the world to see.

"Most Wanted" - Day 17 - "Truth"

2009-08-26T17:53:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 17 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you… (Ephesians 1:17-18a – NIV)

Arby’s has a great advertizing scheme these days. It is the image of people with the Arby’s logo floating over their heads, reciting the tag line, “I’m thinking Arby’s”. The marketing strategy seems to be to create a craving for Arby’s.

Today’s devotional causes me to wonder how we might create in our community a craving for the truth of God. Maybe advertisements with the image of people with crosses over their heads, reciting the tag line, “I’m thinking Jesus”. I don’t know… Maybe not!

In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 – NIV) The thoughtful among us might wonder what it is that they would be filled with that would be such a blessing.

For me, I think the author of Ephesians answered that question in the passage above. The blessing of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness is the hope of an eternal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is the truth that the author prays the eyes of the Ephesians will be opened to.

Might we pray for the eyes of the hearts of those on our love list would be enlightened to the truth that God loves them, Christ died for them, and in His resurrection they have the hope of the glorious riches of His inheritance, and His incomparably great power in their lives…I’m thinking hope!

Prayer

God of Hope, fill us with all joy and peace in believing that we may abide in hope by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen

"Most Wanted" - Day 16 - "Angels"

2009-08-26T07:59:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 16 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Angels Working Overtime

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14 – NIV)

I love music, though of all the genres, I think country is the one I enjoy the least. I know that is near blasphemy in Indiana, but it is true. One country musician I seem to tolerate, however, is Deana Carter. One song that she sings that I do enjoy is the song “Angels Working Overtime”.

The song is about a girl born at a rest stop in the back of a pickup truck who is abandoned at a Denny’s restaurant as an infant, grows up in a town she can’t stand, falls in love with a guy who picks her up as she hitchhikes to Los Angeles, and apparently lives happily ever after from then on. Everything you ever wanted in a country song, right?

I particularly like the chorus where Deana sings:

“And it's a crazy thing
Fate has perfect wings
All the way down the line
Angels working overtime”

(Chorus – “Angels Working Overtime” – Deana Carter, 1998)

I think the reason I like these lyrics so much is that I am so acutely aware of how “all the way down the line” angels have been working overtime on me. I am also acutely aware that I am still working my way down that line, or “going on to perfection” as John Wesley has termed it. Even though I have already worked them long and hard, God still has angels working overtime for me.

Scripture affirms that God’s angels are at work for you and me, and all those to whom God is calling us to minister. Let us give thanks to God for the ministry of the angels in what ever form that comes in our world.

Prayer

Holy God, send forth your ministering angels to lead, guide and protect us by the power of you Holy Spirit. May we join with them in faithful participation in the coming of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 15 - "Me and My Household"

2009-08-25T21:26:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 15 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

As for Me and My House

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household." (Acts 16:31 – NIV)

They who replied in the verse above were Paul and Silas in the jail where they were miraculously set free. Their reply was in response to the stunned jailer who asked the question, “ What must I do to be saved?”

It is interesting to me that salvation included the jailer’s entire household. Maybe it was one of those patriarchal things. Maybe back in those days families were so compliant to the patriarch that they would have believed just because the jailer believed.

What ever it was, I know it is not that way today. Just like Jesus said would happen, families are divided regarding the Gospel. Family members are among the top slots on my love list, and I know that they will likely be the toughest to invite.

In Joshua 24, Joshua is challenging the 12 tribes to renew their covenant with God. Here he makes a decision for himself and his family when he says, “…if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 – NIV)

Maybe we cannot make a decision for each of our family members, but we can choose this day to pray for them and continue to reach out to them with the love of God in our hearts; remembering that we are not called to be successful, but are simply called to be faithful.

Prayer

Eternal God, you are faithful to your people from everlasting to everlasting. As you never give up on anybody, give us the perseverance to continue to lift our households to you. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 14 - "Children"

2009-08-25T07:40:00.004-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 14 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Healing for a Generation

For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37 – NIV)

I am thankful for my children’s Sunday school teachers over the years. The job they do may seem fruitless and maybe even frustrating at times, but in the end, I believe they will be rewarded. The impact they have at first may seem negligible, but in the future they will see a great harvest.

I remember the couple who taught my daughter’s class. He was a recovering alcoholic, who had done time in prison, but God had gotten a hold of him and he now was the lay leader for our church and a member of our men’s prayer group as well as teaching Sunday school.

The kids in his class loved him and his wife so much that they had to move up with the when they graduated their age group. There is no doubt they had an eternal impact on these kids, and I credit God with working through him and his wife to call my daughter into mission work at a young age.

But, not everyone of his kid’s stories have been perfect. Many of them have made bad decisions and I know that wears heavily on their parents, Sunday School teachers and youth leaders. But, the reality is, it isn’t their fault.

The reality is that these kids and kids everywhere in America are interacting in a world that is post Christian. It is a world where the children are 2-3 generations away from parents who were believers. It is a powerful and pervasive influence on kids today

But, the good news is that even though these children have made bad decisions, their children will not be generations removed from believing parents; and that will be the great reward for Sunday school teachers everywhere. They will participate in the future healing of the generations; for nothing is impossible with God.

Prayer

God of the ages, help us to reach the children of the post Christian world in which we live. Use us to create generations of of people who know you and believe in your Son. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 13 - "Everyday Things"

2009-08-22T18:16:00.004-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 13 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Consecrated

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. (Acts 19:11-12 – NIV)

The power of a consecrated life (A life surrendered wholly and completely to God) is that we lose awareness of how our witness is working. This has nothing to do with being religious all the time, but more to do with modeling the love of Jesus Christ all the time.

When our lives are truly consecrated to God, we model this love more often than not, and through that modeling others are impacted and begin to think there is something we have that they truly want. It is at that moment that they are most open to an invitation to become a part of what God is doing through Jesus Christ.

I love music, especially classic rock and pop. I recently had the opportunity to attend a major concert at a local venue, and the people one row in front of me knew that I was Christian pastor. The first thing they asked was, “What are you doing here?” I answered, “I love Jesus, but I love this music as well!”

We danced and sang all night together, and though we may have been much more sober than they were, we still enjoyed our time together, and in some sense, I am hopeful that the experience may have changed their attitudes towards Christians and pastors.

In our zeal to not be of this world, lets us not forget that God still calls us to be in the world, and intends to use our consecrated lives as a witness to that world of Jesus' love and God’s grace.

Prayer

Loving Lord, Take our lives and let them be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take our moments and our days, and let them flow in ceaseless praise. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 12 - "All Things New"

2009-08-22T09:25:00.003-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 12 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

From the Inside Out

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NRSV)

“In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out, Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love you from the inside out”

(Bridge – “From the Inside Out” – Hillsong United, 2006)

I interpret Paul’s words to the Corinthians to mean that whenever one accepts Christ as Lord everything changes. It is not just that the person changes, but that all of creation changes. (The Greek literally reads, “Therefore if anyone in Christ new creation”)

The English Standard Version of the Bible probably translates the back end of this verse more appropriately when it reads, “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”, but still, the emphasis here is on the kind of change that comes from within the person and works its way out into the world to bring change.

Theologian and scholar Howard Snyder refers to this gradual change as the “healing of creation” that is bringing to bear the kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”, or returning creation to its original intended state of perfection.

To me this sheds new light and new urgency on the church’s mission to make disciples of all nations. It is not just about saving souls (though that is surely important). It is not just about personal change and individual growth (though that is important, too). It equally, and maybe even more importantly, about participating in God’s plan for the restoration of creation!

And so we sing from our hearts, “In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control. Consume me from the inside out, Lord.”

Prayer

Almighty God, give us willing hearts to participate in your will and purposes. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be recreated and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 11 - "Agreement"

2009-08-20T09:20:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 11 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Power of a Praying Community

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19 – NIV)

A little known fact about me is that I began my undergraduate education in Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning. Dr. Teykl’s devotion reminded me of my first “Building Structures” course in the summer of 1981.

The first words out Professor Robert Taylor’s mouth at the beginning of each class were, “Always remember, structures fail, building fall, people die, and architects get sued.” It was his way of getting our attention. We all yawned!

That is, until July 17th of that year when the collapse of two walkways in the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel killed 114 people and injured 200 others. Suddenly, what seemed a boring class became rather interesting!

Though a major engineering flaw eventually was blamed for the collapse, there was some initial speculation that the problem could have been something called “Lateral Excitation”, a condition caused by hundreds of people swaying in unison to Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll” on the walkways that night.

Lateral excitation occurs when synchronized forces combine to create frequencies that are not normally expected which cause damage to structural components. Dr. Teykl references the occurrence of this phenomenon at the opening ceremony of the London Millennium Footbridge that began to sway significantly as a band, and then thousands of people, marched across it in June of 2000.

His point is that as the body of Christ we can generate that same kind of supernatural power when we sway in unison to the rhythm of God’s will in prayer together. As a community of prayer we can create a spiritual energy through the power of the Holy Spirit that can take us beyond what we would ever expect or dream. Let us be a powerful community of prayer!

Prayer

O God the three in one, Father, Spirit, Son, bind us together in prayer that we might be vehicles of you supernatural power in our community and world. May we be filled with the appropriate spiritual excitation that points people to you. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 10 - "I Believe"

2009-08-19T11:33:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 10 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Do You Believe in the Son of Man?

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20 - NIV)

What a miracle! God became a man, died on the cross, and rose again. This story has stuck for 2000 years, witnesses have given their accounts, and people continue to die today defending the reality of this miracle. Yet, some people still think it is all just a hoax!

John 9 tells us that at one point in his ministry Jesus healed a man born blind on the Sabbath. Contemporary Christian artist Carolyn Arrends sings about it, “A little mud, a gentle touch, now he can see.”

But, not everyone was convinced. The Pharisee’s missed the miracle because of their legalism. They said, “"This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others questioned their logic asking, “How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?”

How could Jesus be anybody other than who he claimed to be? How could anybody else do the things he did? How could anyone doubt?

I recently visited with a lady who was hospitalized with difficult and long-term illness. She admitted to me that in her difficulty she had begun to doubt that God still did miracles, especially in the case of her healing. But then, she said that as she had been pondering this, she remembered how God had healed her of cancer years before, and now she believed that God could heal her again.

The story of this woman’s faith reminded me that still today it is our testimony of how God has been working in our lives through Jesus Christ that is used by God to draw people to faith.

Each of us has a story to tell to those we wish would come to experience God’s grace. And so, when Jesus asks us,“ Do you believe in the Son of Man?”, we can answer with the man born blind, “Lord, I Believe.”

Prayer

Amazing God, help us so to believe where we have not seen,that your presence may lead us through our years, and bring us at last into the joy of your home not made with hands but eternal in the heavens. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 9 - "Salvation Prayer"

2009-08-18T15:11:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 9 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Accepting Your Acceptance

Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known. (Psalm 106:8 – NIV)

Dr. Tekyl tells the story in today’s devotional about a man who lost his wallet. In that wallet he always kept a supply of cards that had the “prayer of salvation” on them.

Shortly after the wallet came up missing, he received a call from the man who found it. The man asked if he could bring it back to him and have him explain the prayer. He did so, and the man accepted Christ from having the prayer explained to him. (Teykl, 2008, p. 31)

Now, to be sure, I believe in the Romans Road… and I believe in reciting the sinner’s prayer… and I have spent some of the most spiritually fulfilling moments of my life face down on an altar; but I have always been confused because you don’t find these things explicitly tied to salvation in Scripture.

Scripture seems to me to offer a much simpler salvation. It says repent and believe in the Good News that if you call upon the name of the Lord you will be saved.

I used to work many Chrysalis Flights, a 72 hour Christian retreat for young men, and I gave a talk called “God Loves You”. This talk occurred right before a significant event and a reflection period during which many young men came to Christ.

I believe one of the main points of the “God Loves You” talk helped facilitate God working in these young men’s hearts… and it is a point that has been helpful to me in my confusion.

The point challenges us to “accept our acceptance” from God through Jesus Christ. Who on your “Love List” needs to feel the love and acceptance of God? Or maybe it would be more profound to ask, “Who Doesn’t?”

Prayer

Loving God, help us to make simple the message of your love and acceptance of all people, and empower us to shine a constant beacon of light upon your goodness, mercy and compassion. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 8 - Damascus Conversion

2009-08-18T08:02:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 8 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Faithful to a Sovereign God

And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand. (Genesis 14:20 – NIV)

One of the key attributes of pastoral caregiver is the ability to follow the care receiver. This means the caregiver must abandon their agenda and take up the agenda of the care receiver.

For the chaplain serving in the rich cultural diversity of an urban hospital, that means discovering if the care receiver has a “Higher Power” and then directing them in their suffering toward that Higher Power.

As a Christian chaplain, it was expected that I would not engage in any active evangelism with my patients. The hospital was not a mission field, and I was to respect the religious diversity of the different patients.

One day I checked on a patient who was critically ill with heart failure. As soon as she learned I was a chaplain, she essentially through me out of the room. It was not the first time I experienced rejection, and it certainly was not the last; but I honored her position.

I never went back into her room, but every day on my way by, I simply stopped at the door, and asked, “How are things for you today?” I usually got a short answer, so each day I just went on my way.

Then one day when I stopped, she motioned me into the room before I could even speak. She had coded the night before (stopped breathing and heart stopped beating), was very frightened, and wanted to know if I could help her “get right with God”.

She accepted Christ that morning, and then died later that afternoon. I was humbled by this experience as I realized that, though I had written her off, God had not. In an awesome display of sovereign power God had chosen to save her.

As we prepare to invite people to church and into a relationship with God, we will experience rejection. Some of us may be terribly afraid of this. The good news is that God does not expect us to be successful. We are only called to be faithful, and allow our sovereign God to handle the rest!

Prayer

Almighty God, we surrender to your sovereignty in our lives. Grant that we might overcome any fear of rejection as we minister in you name to the world. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 7 - "Lord of the Harvest"

2009-08-16T21:29:00.003-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 7 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Prayer Partners

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10 – NIV)

One of the churches I previously served had a program called “Prayer Partners”. Every year we had a pitch-in dinner and did a blind draw for the person you were to pray for during the next year. At the end of the year, we had another pitch-in dinner and we revealed the person for whom we had been praying. It was an excellent program that got people praying for each other within the church.

They were a strong congregation of good people, yet I often wondered what God might do with their gathering if they focused the same amount of energy on praying for people outside the church. (Yes, I asked them to create a “Love List”, too!)

In today’s devotion, Dr. Teykl tells the story of picking up a hitchhiker and sharing Christ with him. After he was finished, the man sheepishly commented, “You’re the third person today to tell me that.” After talking to him more, Dr Teykl remarked, “I discovered the reason he seemed to be in God’s crosshairs: He had a praying grandmother!” (Teykl, 2008, p. 27)

As we continue in our series on “Authentic Prayer” We must continually challenge ourselves to be a praying congregation. Not just a congregation that prays for each other and the concerns of our church, but a congregation that is the “prayer partner” for the lost, or those that we wish could be found.

And so, I must ask again… Who is on your “Love List”? Are you praying for them everyday? Have you thought about the right time to invite them to church? May God grant you courage, that your prayers might make an eternal difference in the life of someone you love.

Prayer

God of love, nothing should hinder our desire to pray for our church, for our congregation, and for our pastors and lay leaders. Still, grant us the strength and motivation not to let our prayers stop at the doors of our church. Let them float through our families and community like sweet incense as they make their way to you. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 6 - "Heaven"

2009-08-16T06:41:00.003-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 6 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Unimaginable Gift

I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. (John 6:47 – NIV)

In today’s devotional Dr. Teykl asks us to imagine heaven… Go ahead… Take a moment and do that… How glorious a sight it must be! Then Dr. Teykl aptly writes this, “Praise God that [in reality] it is even more glorious!”

When I was a hospital chaplain, I was called to the room of a woman who was hysterical because she had “coded” (stopped breathing and heart stopped beating), and she had not seen the “The Light”.

The staff was nearly ready to call for a psych consult, but I recognized quickly that she was a woman of great faith and was just extremely afraid that this experience meant she wasn’t going to go to heaven.

Once I allowed her to confess her faith in God’s grace in Jesus Christ, and assured her that by her faith she was saved and would certainly be with God in heaven she was able to calm down.

My time with her made me realize how I take the unimaginable gift of everlasting life with God for granted sometimes. I wish that all Christians had the sense of urgency this woman had about guaranteeing her place with God.

Even more than that I wish that all Christians had this kind of sense of urgency for sharing this unimaginable gift with others… that all would believe and have everlasting life with God.

Prayer

God of grace and God of glory on thy people pour thy power; crown thine ancient church’s story; bring her bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 5 - "The Good Savior"

2009-08-15T17:42:00.008-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 5 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

How Great Is Our God?

Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22 – NIV)

“And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!”

(Verse 3 – “How Great Thou Art” – Stuart K. Hine, 1953)

How great is our God? Isaiah reminds the people of Babylon in Isaiah 45 that God is greater than any of their idols. He makes the point that none of these idols can do anything for them, unlike God who is great enough to save His people.

And the same is true for us today. None of the things that we place before God in our lives can do anything for us except lead us away from the truth that in Jesus, God has sent a good Savior, who bled and died to take away our sin.

So many in our world today are surrounding themselves with all matter and means for attempting to find satisfaction and significance. Are we willing to share the good news of the good Savior who is the source of all satisfaction and significance in our lives?

Prayer

Merciful God, we pray your forgiveness for the idols we have that get between you and ourselves. Help us to recognize that only you are great and mighty enough to save us from ourselves, and help us to offer the saving knowledge of your greatness to all we know and meet. Amen.

"Most Wanted" - Day 4 - "Dream Giver"

2009-08-13T10:27:00.001-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 4 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Stairway to Heaven

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. (Genesis 28:12 – NIV)

It was a beautiful dream. So beautiful, in fact that when Jacob awoke from it he remarked, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." It is a beautiful image… a stairway between heaven and earth connecting humanity with the divine.

Jesus describes himself in this way when he says to Nathanael in John 1:51, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

By re-painting this image Jesus implies that he is the true Messiah… that connection between humanity and the divine God of heaven. Through his resurrection from the dead the image of the cross is transformed from a symbol of suffering and shame into this beautiful and wondrous image of a stairway between sinful humanity and God.

It strikes me that as the body of Christ, the church’s role is to be a part of that stairway to heaven… directing people to God and lifting them up along the way. This is the vision I am casting for our congregation. I think it is a beautiful image as well, for as Paul quotes Isaiah to the Romans, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Prayer

Holy God, we rejoice that your presence is constantly in our midst, and we give thanks to you for providing the stairway into your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us to be willing and active participants as you seek to draw others to yourself. Amen

"Most Wanted" - Day 3 - "Re-Birthday"

2009-08-12T18:43:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 3 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Defining Moment

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV Psalm 27:1)

On day 3 of Dr. Teykl asks us to remember the moment we received Jesus. It would be interesting, I think to hear each on of our stories, because it seems Jesus comes into people’s lives in such a wide variety of ways.

For me it happened just 10 years ago in the middle of narrating an Easter sunrise service drama in the dark balcony of the little United Methodist church we had begun attending after years of zero church involvement.

A friend of mine was enacting the story of Ray Boltz’s “The Hammer” and suddenly I found the hammer that nailed Jesus to the cross in my own hand. I was horrified, and so truly convinced of my sin that I was nearly not able to go on with the narration.

But then, just after that in the drama, two of the ladies of the church sang the song “Written in Red” and I realized that Jesus’ blood on the cross was God’s “I love you, written in red” for me and for you. I remember feeling humbled, but forgiven, and simply flooded with joy.

I was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church as a child, but I know that that this was the first time I truly understood God’s grace and truly received Jesus into my life.

Not everybody can point to a specific experience like this, and I don’t know that being able to is what the Lord requires, but I do know this: I would have never had the opportunity to have this experience if that friend of mine had not invited me to church months before.

That is where my passion for the lost comes from. That is why I am challenging each of us to pray for those we might invite to be a part of what God is doing in our church and community.

Prayer

Compassionate God, we thank you for the many ways you come into our lives with your light and your salvation. For some you come in as a mighty lion, for others you come as a gentle lamb. Grant that we might participate in what you are doing within the people of our community, and we will give you all the glory. Amen.

"Most Wanted" Reflections - Day 2 - "Gratitude"

2009-08-11T15:45:00.002-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 2 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Remembering Our Roots

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1 – NIV)

Paul writes to the Christians of the church in Rome having already established his calling and ministry to the Gentiles or the “uncircumcised.” In the success of that ministry, it would have been easy for him to forget his roots as one of the “circumcised”; an Israelite and the “Pharisee of Pharisees.”

Losing touch with his roots would have likely resulted in one of a couple of attitudes. First it could have resulted in apathy; a silent acceptance of the Jews rejection of Jesus. Second, it could have resulted in zeal; the belief that he (Paul) was better than they were, now that he had received Christ.

I wonder if, as followers of Christ, we remember our roots. I wonder if we remember that we were once “no people” before we became “God’s people.” I wonder how many of us have become apathetic about those who do not know God. I wonder how many others, in zeal, put people down for their unbelief or cast judgment on their behavior.

As the “Evangelist of Evangelists” Paul knew intrinsically that neither of these attitudes were helpful or Godly responses. Even though he was called to a ministry to the Gentiles it was still his pleasure and purpose to pray for the Israelites to be saved as well.

We are all called to a specific vocation or ministry to which we are compelled to be committed, but it is my prayer that we would never forget our roots as God’s people. They are roots that are grounded in Jesus’ command to “… Make disciples of all nations”, and prayer for all those God has yet to bring into His fold.

Prayer

Lord God, as we prepare to extend invitations for people to know your love, grant that we would do so gracefully so as to not do harm. Save us from the hesitancy and apathy that paralyzes our witness, for we know you indeed are mighty to save. Amen.

"Most Wanted" Reflections - Day 1 - "I Love You"

2009-08-10T11:28:00.003-04:00

Here are my reflections on Day 1 of Dr. Terry Teykl’s “My Most Wanted Devotional: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost.” Comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Size of My Circle

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 NIV)

So… Who is on your “Love List”? Dr. Teykl calls it your “Most Wanted List”, but I prefer “Love List.” It begs the question, “Who do you know, who doesn’t know the love of God in Jesus Christ, that you love enough to invite to be a part of the Church that bears his name?”

Given Jesus’ command to “…love your neighbor as yourself…” and the fact that 80% of our community falls into the category of “unchurched”, it should be easy to generate such a list. So… Why does my list sit empty on my desk this morning? Why does it seem that the percentage of people in my circle of acquaintances who know Jesus is quite high?

Maybe it is the size of my circle. Maybe as I surround myself with Christian friends and Christian associates, my circle becomes a small carefully crafted and exclusive safety zone where there is very little risk.

Yet, I have become convinced that where there is little risk, there is likely very little growth, numerically or spiritually. Certainly, the experience of the Apostles after Jesus’ ascension bears witness to this.

So… Will we take some risk and allow God to enlarge our circles to include even more of those who God loves so much that he sent his Son to die, that they might live? I pray it would be so!

Prayer

Almighty God, grant that you would bless us and enlarge our territory! Let your hand be with us, and keep us from harm so that we will be free from pain. Let our confidence in your guidance and protection empower us to take the risk of inviting even those we do not know to be a part of your kingdom on earthy as it is in heaven. Amen.

Coming to Celebration Hall: The Gathering!!!

2009-07-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

Beginning August 9th for six Sundays The Gathering will be “testing” our ability to set up and run our 11:00 AM service in Celebration Hall. Our hope is that this arrangement will become permanent, allowing this service to continue to grow and reach out into our community. This test period will be a special time for us and we hope that all of NFUMC will invite their friends and relatives who might enjoy a contemporary worship service to join us. Pastor Dave will be preaching a sermon series on prayer based on the nine prayers of Jesus found in the Gospels. The schedule for that sermon series is below:

August 9 Authentic Prayer
August 16 Authentic Relationship
August 23 Authentic Commitment
August 30 Authentic Deliverance
September 6 Authentic Forgiveness
September 13 Authentic Intercession

Please be in prayer for those new folks that God may desire to send into our midst during this time.

Faith, Hope & Love Schedule

2009-07-18T11:03:00.002-04:00

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE outreach is happening THIS WEEK!!! If you have not already registered you may do so at the host churches each day. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with worship and devotions at 9:00AM. Following worship, we will organize and head to our worksites. The host churches each day are:

Monday, July 20 Bethel Lutheran Church
Tuesday, July 21 Arcadia Christian Church
Wednesday, July 22 Genesis Church
Thursday, July 23 First United Methodist Church
Friday, July 24 Family Praise Center

A detailed schedule with addresses and phone numbers is available at the Info Booths.

11:00 Transition Schedule

2009-06-11T11:21:00.003-04:00

Thought this would be a good place to post our transition schedule for the test period of the 11:00 Gathering in Celebration Hall.

June 23 - Meeting at 7PM in the Loft
Coordinators review and submit Written plans for who will be on their teams and specifics of what the teams will do.

July 12 - Noon - Celebration Hall
Pitch-in meal with all team members and dry runs of setup

July 14 - Meeting at 8:30 PM after SMAC in the Vine
Debrief setup dry run

August 9 - 11:00 Celebration Hall
First test Sunday

August 25 - Meeting at 7PM in the Loft
In-process debrief

September 13 - 11:00 Celebration Hall
Last test Sunday

September 22 - Meeting at 7PM in the Loft
Detailed After Action Review of the test period and decision regarding next steps.

Please mark your calendars for these dates... We absolutely need your particpation and input for this to work!!!

A Concern About Prayer Concerns

2009-06-06T14:06:00.002-04:00

Just a quick caution about sharing prayer concerns or any other personal/confidential information in this forum. This blog is intentionally open for anyone to see, which means that anything that you post here will be accessible to anyone on the World Wide Web. Please be responsible in maintaining privacy and confidentiality by not posting prayer concerns here. As always, these concerns are best forwarded to my church email: daves@nfumc.net

Thank you!

Welcome/Blogging Instructions

2009-06-06T13:47:00.008-04:00

Welcome to our blog for The Gathering worship services at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, in Noblesville, IN.

For those unfamiliar with blogging, it is a way for us to share information, post links to websites with helpful information, and interact in a dialog on a site specifically for The Gathering.

Anyone can read the blog by going to http://www.thegatheringnfumc.blogspot.com/, but if you want to get in on the dialog (and potentially some online Book/Bible Studies), we would love to hear your thoughts, but you will have to “Sign In” in order to interact.

If you have a Google account (gmail, etc.) then all you have to do is sign in by clicking on “Sign In” in the upper right corner of the blog window, and then enter your email and password.

If you do not have a Google account go to http://www.blogspot.com/ and click “Sign In”.

On the next screen click “Create An Account Now”.

Fill in the electronic form and click “Continue”

At this point you are signed in, and Blogspot is starting the process of helping you create your own blog. You may want to do this at some time in the future, but for our purposes now you just need to type http://www.thegatheringnfumc.blogspot.com/ into your address bar to access the blog.

The next time you access the blog you will only need to click on “Sign In” in the upper right corner of the blog window, and then enter the email and password you used when you created the account. This will take you to your blogging “Dashboard” where you will click on “View Blog”.

Now, you may be asking at this point, “Why do I need another website to check periodically… Couldn’t we just use Facebook?” Fair question, but… not everyone is on Facebook, and the blog does a better job of threading and archiving our conversations.

I hope you'll give blogging a try...